Nikolic calls for changes in police

BELGRADE - Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic called Friday for changes at key positions in the police as he is unsatisfied with its operation, and urged the government to continue the reforms in this sector since, as he put it, this is the only way to ensure a genuine fight against crime.

Addressing the public, Nikolic called on the government to appoint responsible people to the key offices in the police so as to ensure safe life of all citizens.

“The citizens of Serbia rightly expect from its government to provide them with a safe life without fear of becoming victims to violence one day,” Nikolic said, adding that their trust in the police depends on its efficiency, which requires continuation of reforms and creation of an efficient and depoliticized police that will serve the people.

The president underlined that he is not satisfied with the fight against crime within the police and combating crime in the streets - drug dealers and cartels.

“In the fight against this calamity, which is causing great harm to our children, no important results have been achieved lately since the crime groups have collaborators and moles in the Ministry of the Interior and thus succeed to avoid facing law and justice,” Nikolic said, adding that on the other hand there are many policemen who have given their lives and ruined their heath protecting the security of their country and people.

Because of them, it is particularly important that moral values, virtues, integrity and justice are restored within the institution responsible for internal security, Nikolic said.

Unfortunately, due to certain individuals' unprofessional approach to their work in the police, the proper fight against crime and corruption is...